DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (Nasdaq: DWA) and Macy’s today announced that Kung Fu Panda‘s Po will embark on the first-ever U.S. tour of an official Macy’s Thanksgiving Day ParadeÂ® balloon, beginning this Friday, April 15th. Po is scheduled to make a six-city, cross-country tour of awesomeness, culminating in his debut visit to Los Angeles to mark the opening of Kung Fu Panda 2 this Memorial Day weekend.

Po is scheduled to visit the following cities: Miami, FL on April 16th; St. Louis, MO on April 22nd; Dallas, TX on April 30th; Chicago, IL on May 6th; Phoenix, AZ on May 14th; and Los Angeles, CA on Memorial Day weekend. At 42-feet tall, 46-feet long and 34-feet wide, the Po balloon is truly larger-than-life and is posed in one of Po’s signature martial arts moves from the DreamWorks Animation feature film. Po’s appearance in each city will coincide with a day of family-friendly festivities, all open to the public, which will include an opportunity to take a picture with Po, as well as see an official Kung Fu Panda martial arts presentation. The day will also feature coloring, airbrush tattoos and face painting stations, as well as special prize giveaways.

Said Anne Globe, head of Worldwide Marketing for DreamWorks Animation, “We are thrilled to join forces once again with our friends at Macy’s, who have done an incredible job of bringing our character of Po to life as a giant balloon for audiences to enjoy at the annual Macy’s parade and now in cities across the country. This first-ever premiere event is an exciting way to help kick off the summer movie season.”

“With his debut at last year’s Macy’s Parade, DreamWorks Animation’s giant Po balloon became an instant spectator favorite,” said Amy Kule, executive producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “This special tour will bring Po closer to fans nationwide and is a great way to launch the highly anticipated sequel, Kung Fu Panda 2.”

In Kung Fu Panda 2, Po is now living his dream as The Dragon Warrior, protecting the Valley of Peace alongside his friends and fellow kung fu masters, The Furious Five. But Po’s new life of awesomeness is threatened by the emergence of a formidable villain, who plans to use a secret, unstoppable weapon to conquer China and destroy kung fu. Po must look to his past and uncover the secrets of his mysterious origins; only then will he be able to unlock the strength he needs to succeed.